Friars host 5,000-7,000 Pilgrims

I recently had the Joy and Privilege to preach a 9-day novena to Our Lady of Consolation, which finished with an outdoor Mass with 5,000 – 7,000 worshipers on the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. Every year the Friars of Our Lady of Consolation Province, host the novena and outdoor Mass at our Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation in Carey, Ohio. The friars have served at the Shrine since 1912!

Friars working together…This year, as in past years, the friars at the Shrine were joined by our Postulants from Chicago, IL, our student Friars from San Antonio, TX, and many of our professed friars from the surrounding states and beyond. We were also blessed by the presence of the previous rector and pastor of the Shrine, Bishop John Stowe OFM Conv. The feast provides a wonderful opportunity for the friars to serve the Church together. Serving together is an aspect of our charism wherever we minister, but here we have the wonderful opportunity for more than 30 friars working together! The friars joined in with tasks of welcoming pilgrims, praying with them and blessing them, hearing confessions, organizing processions and devotions, leading the rosary, and oh yes, cleaning and shopping!! What a joy to serve with my brothers in the Spirit of Saint Francis! Our common meals, provided opportunity to enjoy each other, and our common morning prayer, daily Mass, and evening prayer brought us closer spiritually, and provided the strength for our ministry.

Mary an Important part of Franciscan Spirituality…Francis was especially devoted to Our Mother, and named her as Patroness of our Order. Francis was especially fond of the Church, St. Mary of the Angels, also known as the Portiuncula or “Little Portion.” He loved that Church especially for its title and its humility, both honoring Mary. In Francis’ early years of formation spent in prayer in this Church, he would meditate on the passages of scripture where we find Mary. In her example, he found the humble way to Christ which he made his own. Today our devotion to Mary continues. The OLC Shrine and pilgrimage are one example of our work to continue to share with the Church and world, the great gift God has given us in Mary our Mother, the Queen of Heaven. In our prayers to her, we ask that she perfect our prayers, correct our intentions, add to them what we miss, and then present our perfected prayer to Jesus her Son.

Franciscans are Bridge Builders…Another charism of our Franciscan Order is peacemaking. Building bridges is one of the best ways to heal divisions. In our world today, we are increasingly isolated from one another. In isolation, it is easy to make many false judgments about others, which fuels hate and division. Having the courage to approach another and learn about their lives, and their history, helps us to better understand what we have in common with our brothers and sisters. During my time at the novena, I, along with the other Friars, were encouraged not to stay in our rooms, but to go out and talk to the Pilgrims. One of the main ethnic groups among the pilgrims were the Chaldean Catholics. The Chaldean Catholic Church is different than the Roman Catholic Church, but the two are in union. The Chaldean Catholics have come to the United States, mostly from Iraq, where they are currently undergoing great persecution for their faith, even to the point of martyrdom. They have come a long way to be free of religious persecution, and are grateful to be accepted here (although recent immigration policies are threatening to deport many back to Iraq where they will likely be persecuted, and possibly even martyred). They are also grateful to come to honor Mary their Mother at the Shrine. Walking among, and talking too these pilgrims, helped me to better appreciate the struggles of others, and to see the good God is still working in our midst. This dialog between groups of people promotes peace and justice. I liken this type of interaction to building bridges to unite us, rather than walls to separate us.

Listen to Podcast with Fr. Paul Reflecting on the Novena…Eddie Bauer from Franciscan Voice interviewed Fr. Paul, the Novena preacher, after the 9-day novena. Listen in as Fr. Paul shares his experience of the Our Lady of Consolation Novena. (And while you are there check out other great Franciscan Podcasts! Go to Podcast on Franciscan Voice